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❓ Why aren’t all of your puppies priced the same?

The demand for Australian Shepherd colors isn’t equal. Families often choose merles first, which can leave our tri puppies—just as loyal, loving, and beautiful—waiting longer for homes. As Heartmenders, we believe every puppy deserves the same chance to be chosen and cherished, no matter their coat.

By pricing tris lower, we give them more opportunity to be considered in a reachable price range, while merle pricing helps balance the natural demand. This isn’t about valuing one color over another—it’s about valuing the heart of each puppy equally.

Every pup we raise is a companion first, a piece of someone’s story waiting to unfold. Our pricing reflects our commitment to ensuring that every puppy, tri or merle, has the opportunity to be welcomed into a loving home where they can do the heart-mending work they were born to do.

❓ Does this mean tris are “less valuable”?

Not at all. Tris are every bit as intelligent, loyal, and loving as merles. In fact, many families who choose a tri end up saying they can’t imagine life without them. Our pricing reflects market realities, not the worth of the puppy. Every puppy in our care is equally priceless to us.

❓ Isn’t pricing differently still breeding for color?

Breeding for color means deliberately pairing dogs to produce flashy coats without regard for health, temperament, or structure. We do the opposite: our pairings are chosen with health and temperament as the foundation, and color is simply an outcome.

Pricing differently doesn’t guide our breeding choices — it simply helps ensure fairness in placement so no puppy is overlooked.